Spanish rice facts for kids
Mexican rice served next to beans
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| Alternative names | Red rice, arroz rojo, Istanboli Polo |
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| Course | Side dish |
| Place of origin | Mexico |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | White rice, tomatoes, garlic, onions, broth |
Spanish rice is a yummy side dish often served with Mexican food. It's also called Mexican rice or red rice (which is Spanish: arroz rojo in Spanish). This dish is made with white rice, tomatoes, garlic, and onions.
Even though it's called "Spanish rice," this name is mostly used in the United States. The dish actually comes from Mexico, not Spain. In Iran, there's a similar dish called Istanboli Polo. People sometimes call it "Persian tomato rice."
Contents
How Spanish Rice Is Made
Spanish rice is usually made by first cooking the rice in a pan with a little oil. The rice is stirred until it turns a nice golden-brown color.
After that, water or chicken broth is added to the pan. Tomatoes are also added, either as chopped tomatoes or tomato sauce. These ingredients give the rice its famous red color and delicious flavor.
Where Did Spanish Rice Come From?
The way Spanish rice is cooked comes from traditional Spanish cuisine. Spain has a long history of making many different rice dishes.
Spanish settlers brought these cooking methods to the Americas a long time ago. This is how rice dishes like Spanish rice became popular in places like Mexico.
Why Is It Called "Spanish Rice"?
In Mexico, people don't usually call this dish "Spanish rice." They simply call it "Mexican arroz" (Mexican "rice") or arroz rojo ("red rice").
Sometimes, it's also known as sopa seca de arroz, which means "dry rice soup." There's even a similar dish made with pasta that people call "Mexican spaghetti."
See also
In Spanish: Arroz rojo para niños
